MEA Warns Indians Against Giving up Citizenship to Join Russian Army
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday, September 30, warned Indians of the risks associated with giving up their Indian citizenship and obtaining Russian passports in order to join the Russian armed forces, saying some nationals had taken this step after being lured by temporary monetary benefits.
In a fresh advisory for Indians travelling to Russia, the MEA said it had come across “numerous instances” of individuals approaching “Indian authorities to willingly give up their Indian citizenship, avail themselves of a Russian passport and then get recruited in Russian armed forces”.
“Some have already done so without consulting Indian authorities, having been lured by temporary monetary benefits,” the ministry said, warning that such individuals should understand “the mortal dangers they are exposing themselves to”.
“The Government advises Indian nationals to refrain from taking such actions,” it said.
The advisory is the first time the government has publicly flagged Indians giving up their citizenship as a route into the Russian armed forces.
The MEA also said on Wednesday that it had encountered Indians “willingly seeking out offers to join the Russian armed forces” on the understanding that they would receive monetary benefits and “later secure release by approaching the Indian Government”.
“It is reiterated that this is a dangerous path and is strongly discouraged by the Government,” it said.
The advisory specifically warned against recruitment by private and voluntary organisations, saying that foreign nationals were being recruited into the Russian armed forces by “non-public entities including voluntary groups”.
“Indian nationals are advised to exercise due diligence before accepting job offers from such agents which are not registered with the Ministry of External Affairs,” the advisory said.
The MEA said India remained engaged with Russia “to ensure the safety, well-being and early discharge of all Indian nationals in the Russian armed forces”.
Last month, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had disclosed that 227 Indian nationals had been recruited into the Russian armed forces since the start of the war in Ukraine. Out of them, 51 have died in the conflict, while 139 have been discharged.
At the UN General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week said that that Russia was using citizens from 47 countries in its war against Ukraine, naming India among the countries whose nationals were involved. He urged the governments concerned to prevent their citizens from being drawn into the conflict, alleging that some had ended up on the battlefield through “deception and tricks”.
This article went live on October first, two thousand twenty six, at forty-three minutes past nine in the morning.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
